The Rise of FemTech: How Women’s Health Innovation Is Transforming the UK and Global Markets
What Is FemTech and Why Is It Important?
FemTech, short for female technology, refers to products, diagnostics, software, and digital platforms designed to address women’s health needs. This includes reproductive and menstrual health, fertility, menopause, maternal care, pelvic health, and broader conditions like cardiovascular disease and mental health, which affect women differently from men.
The term was coined in 2016 by Ida Tin, founder of the German app Clue. Although still relatively new, the FemTech sector has gained significant attention for its potential to close long-standing gaps in women’s healthcare and challenge outdated medical norms. Historically, the healthcare system has often been “male by default,” leaving many female-specific health conditions under-researched or poorly supported in clinical and technological innovation.
In 2024, FemTech companies reached a global valuation of 28 billion dollars, with projections estimating growth to 60 billion dollars by 2027. Europe alone is expected to exceed 35 billion dollars by 2032, underscoring its growing influence in the global market. However, despite this momentum, disparities remain in the sector. Since 2014, only 10 percent of venture capital in FemTech has gone to companies with all-female founding teams. All-male teams raised an average of 9.2 million dollars, while female-led companies averaged just 4.6 million dollars in funding. This funding gap highlights the persistent structural barriers that female founders continue to face, even within an industry built to serve women.
North America led the global FemTech market in 2023 with a 38.64 percent share. Europe is also a major player, home to over 20 percent of all FemTech companies. Six of the top ten countries for FemTech investment are in Europe. The United States has led investment since 2019, raising 5.2 billion dollars, followed by the United Kingdom and Israel.
In 2023, Europe had 540 active FemTech startups. The United Kingdom accounted for the largest share at 31.8 percent, followed by France, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. Although global investment peaked in 2021 at 2.2 billion dollars before slowing in 2022, it remains above 2020 levels and is forecast to rebound due to growing awareness and demand for gender-specific health solutions.
The UK: A FemTech Powerhouse
Since 2019, UK FemTech startups have raised over 683 million dollars in venture capital. According to The Data City, more than 150 FemTech companies in the UK collectively generate around 700 million pounds in turnover, with an average annual growth rate of 30 percent.
These startups fall into key verticals including breast health, menstrual health, reproductive and postpartum care, and menopause. The Data City’s Real-Time Industrial Classification (RTIC) reveals that traditional SIC codes fail to capture FemTech’s true scope, making accurate classification crucial for policy and investment alignment.
Spotlight on High-Growth UK FemTech Startups
The UK is home to some of the most innovative FemTech companies in the world:
- Flo Health – A global leader in menstrual and ovulation tracking, using AI to deliver symptom-driven insights. Over 380 million users. Raised 157.8 million pounds in Series C funding in 2024.
- Peppy – Provides workplace-based fertility, postpartum, and menopause support. Raised 45 million dollars to expand into the US.
- Hertility – Offers at-home hormone testing with reduced wait times. Raised 4.2 million pounds in seed funding.
- Fertifa – Delivers employer-sponsored fertility and menopause benefits. Secured 6 million pounds from UK-based investors.
- Stella (Vira Health) – A digital menopause clinic with personalised care plans. Raised over 10.8 million pounds and received Innovate UK support.
These companies highlight the UK’s leadership in FemTech and showcase its diversity across health verticals.
Public Sector Support and the Accelerating FemTech Programme
The UK government has played a pivotal role in advancing FemTech. In 2023, Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council launched the Accelerating FemTech programme, delivered by the Health Innovation Network South London. The first cohort received over 1 million pounds in funding, and the programme now supports 21 high-potential startups.
The programme has contributed to a rise in women-led ventures. Notable founders include Dr Dupe Burgess of Bloomful, who developed an AI-based triage tool for gynaecological care, and Divya Varma of BirthGlide, who is creating low-cost devices to improve childbirth outcomes.
FemTech’s Broader Economic Impact
FemTech is not only transforming health but also supporting economic growth. According to NHS Confed and the Fawcett Society, conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and menopause symptoms cost the UK economy an estimated 11 billion pounds annually in lost productivity. One in ten women leaves the workforce due to menopause-related challenges.
Deloitte estimates that improving menopause support could retain 900,000 women in the UK workforce, boosting national GDP. As healthcare access improves and technology solutions scale, FemTech will play a vital role in economic resilience.
The Future of FemTech: Innovation, Investment, and Impact
FemTech is no longer a niche category. It is a core pillar of the UK’s healthtech and life sciences sectors, supporting job creation, investment, and improved care outcomes. Startups like Level Zero Health, which raised 6.9 million dollars in 2024, show the sector’s ability to bridge diagnostics, AI, and digital health infrastructure.
Investors such as Lavender Ventures, Angel Academe, and Octopus Ventures are actively backing these companies, shifting FemTech from a marginalised space into a recognised engine for innovation.
As awareness and funding continue to grow, FemTech is set to deliver transformative change in women’s healthcare and the wider economy
Leave a Reply